Description
Enjoy irresistibly flavorful Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks. These tender chicken legs are coated in a smoky dry rub and slathered with tangy BBQ sauce, making them ideal for summer cookouts or quick family meals. Simple to prepare and guaranteed to please everyone!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- chili powder or cayenne pepper, optional and to taste for spiciness
- 4 pounds chicken legs
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup apricot jam, apple or grape jelly, or orange marmalade
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix all the seasonings and spices to create the dry rub.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and rub the dry rub evenly onto the drumsticks. Place them on a plate, cover, and refrigerate to marinate for 1-2 hours, or overnight if desired. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before grilling for even cooking.
- In a small saucepan, combine your BBQ sauce with jam and heat over medium-low until simmering, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes until thickened. Set aside.
- Preheat your grill, oil the grates, setting half on high and half on medium heat. Place chicken on the medium side and grill for about 5 minutes with the lid closed.
- Flip the drumsticks and switch their positions on the grill—those on the medium side move closer to the high heat. Grill for another 5 minutes, adjusting as needed to avoid burning.
- When the chicken is almost done, about 4-5 minutes remaining, generously baste the BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken, cover, and grill for 2 minutes. Flip, baste the other side, and cook for another 2 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs or toppings as desired.
Notes
Make sure the chicken is fully thawed if using frozen.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is properly cooked to 165F.
Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your heat preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drumstick
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg